Paul Clement has said Manchester United star Marcus Rashford tried to “deceive” referee Neil Swarbrick as Swansea City survived a controversial dive decision to grab a crucial point to boost their relegation battle.

England ace Rashford took a tumble in first-half injury time to hand Wayne Rooney the chance to open the scoring for United and deliver a huge blow to Swansea hopes of a result at Old Trafford.

But replays showed goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski pulled away before catching Rashford – with the youngster already heading for the ground.

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The decision could have proven costly with Swansea all set to lose further ground to rivals Hull in the battle to stay in the Premier League.

Thankfully Gylfi Sigurdsson stepped up to rescue a point for Clement’s side 11 minutes from time – but that still didn’t stop Clement taking aim at Rashford or Swarbrick as he questioned why he checked with assistants before giving the decision having claimed he was sure Fabianski had made the foul.

Wayne Rooney sends Lukasz Fabianski the wrong way to score from the spot (Image: Getty Images)

Clement – who had seen Swarbrick deny Swansea a huge penalty claim against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge – said of the incident: “I looked at reaction my players, they were furious about it so that puts a doubt in your mind whether it was the correct decision.

“Then there was the delay between contact – or non-contact – and the decision being given; there was a brief pause there which normally would say there’s doubt.

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“The referee said after the game that he was sure what seen, he was just confirming with the assistant – but I don’t know why he even asked him because he was almost as far as away as I was.

“Then the replays showed the player deceived the referee, there’s no other way to look at it. You could say he’s dangled a leg to get the contact, but he’s down before that, he’s down before there’s any kind of contact. The keeper pulled out of it.”

Jose Mourinho claimed he did not see the incident, adding: “I have Marcus’ opinion and he said that the goalkeeper touched him.”

Clement was careful not to use the word cheat in the aftermath of the unexpected result that kept Swansea within striking distance of Hull going into the final three games of the season.

The incident from another angle

But he insisted the officials have to be sure to give decisions when games mean so much at this stage of the season, and said they need the help of technology as Video Assistant Referees continue to be trialled.

“The referee told me he was sure it was the right decision,” said Clement. “But I felt there was doubt.

“I only know myself. If I’m sure about something, I don’t check with my assistants. I make the decision. If I’m unsure and I want their opinion and feedback then I will ask them.

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“I think technology has to come. We’ve seen it this season with the Burnley penalty. For me it’s unbelievable that in this day and age with the technology available, the only people that don’t get help are the ones who most need it. We can see it, you can, the fans, everyone apart from the officials. It has to be done. It’s long overdue.”

Still, Clement praised the players for the way the fought back from the decision and added: “We dealt with it well. A point was the least we deserved.”